Chapter Four

D ory looked out the window of the carriage as if the scenery was riveting, but she didn’t even see it. Her thoughts were like the sea in a storm, and she rode it in a dingy. After the Stocktons’ ball, the last thing she’d expected was to be journeying to Sunnydale Manor, home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Enderly at the invitation of their daughter, Rose, whom she’d spoken to for the first time barely a fortnight past, though they had met last season.

To make her travels even more unbelievable, she rode there being chaperoned by none other than Lord Sommerset and his wife, friends of Lord Harewood. Though at first her mother had said it was impossible for her to attend. As it happened, her mother had other engagements already planned. Elsbeth, who had been calling and understood what a wonderful opportunity it could be, had suggested that one of her relatives could serve as chaperone. Dory had expected that person to be the Duchess of Northwick, who owned the school she attended. Her mother must have expected that as well and quickly agreed.

The note they received from Lady Elsbeth the following day simply stated the day to be ready for the journey. It wasn’t until the carriage had arrived at their doorstep yesterday that she’d discovered her chaperones would be Lord and Lady Sommerset. Not that she was ungrateful. Much the opposite. Lady Sommerset was very amusing and seemed to understand her better than the duchess—at least that was how it appeared when they had all been to her house just outside Town for lessons on art forgeries. She’d never thought about paintings, except the one in the school of Lady Belinda, so it hadn’t occurred to her that as a wife, she might be expected to purchase some. Just when she thought she knew all she needed to fulfill her role as a future wife, she was surprised by yet another skill that needed to be mastered. Not that she had yet to truly master any, but she was adequate. While she agreed that learning enhanced one’s experiences, she sometimes wished she could simply enjoy the small pleasures of a newly bloomed rose or the sound of the rain hitting the window.

She glanced toward the sky. It didn’t appear there would be rain before they arrived at the manor. A bubble of excitement started in her belly. She’d never been to a house party. Her father did not allow her mother to go away for that length of time, but he was happy to let his daughter go. She knew it was because he couldn’t stand her prattle, as he called it. He said she talked in circles. She smirked. She preferred to think of it as squiggly lines. When she saw Lord Harewood again, she would tell him that was her imagery for her thoughts. He would appreciate that.

Thankfully, she had apologized for thinking his remark about her imagery was him having fun with her. That had been a terrible assumption on her part. Unfortunately, her own self-awareness made it obvious that she apologized far too frequently. She’d only been in Lord and Lady Sommerset’s carriage a few hours since they left the quaint inn where they stayed the night, and she was quite sure she’d apologized at least three times. Elsbeth said it was not necessary, but that apologizing was an endearing trait nonetheless. However, Elsbeth was her dearest friend and might have simply been kind for that reason.

But a very good friend would tell her the truth, wouldn’t she? Was apologizing endearing? She wished Lissette had agreed to come with her, but she’d said her grandmother wasn’t feeling well and she needed to stay with her. Lissette might tell her the truth about apologizing. Then again, she didn’t wish to point out her own faults to the one person who seemed genuinely interested in all her wisdom, such as it was.

Who would she talk to for a whole fortnight? She sincerely hoped Lady Rose was as nice as she seemed. They had both come out in the same year but had not been at many events together. She might be able to speak to Lord Harewood, but it wouldn’t do to be seen with him too much. She did have her chaperones. She glanced at them. Lord Sommerset was far too handsome to look at with his golden hair and tawny eyes. Luckily, he found the scenery interesting as his wife slept with her head on his shoulder.

The carriage started to slow and turned a corner. She focused outside just in time to see the stately four-floor mansion before it disappeared from her vision since she sat with her back toward their forward progress. Still, she watched as the rolling lawns spread out from the main drive into the distant forest. There must be plenty of lawn for pall-mall, but if there was a hunt planned and the ladies were invited to watch, she would refrain. She could sit a horse well enough, but not for a jaunt over the countryside.

“It’s time to wake.” Lord Sommerset’s voice brought her attention back to the inside of the carriage.

As he nudged his wife’s chin, her eyes fluttered open and she lifted her head, yawning. She quickly covered her mouth when she saw they were not alone. “Oh, dear. I do apologize, Lady Dorothea. That’s two days in a row I have been a poor hostess.”

“Please do not apologize. I was quite content watching the scenery. I have never been to Bedford. Is it true your family is neighbors of Lord and Lady Enderly?”

Lady Sommerset smoothed out her Persian green dress skirts as she sat straighter next to her husband. “They are, indeed.” She glanced at her husband. “And very glad am I that they are. It was they who hosted Lord Sommerset last year, and we were better able to deepen our acquaintance.” The woman gave her a sly look. “Are you hoping to deepen an acquaintance of yours?”

“Oh, no. I doubt I will know anyone. But I am looking forward to meeting all who would be the marquess and marchioness’s guests. They will only be strangers to me until they become my friends. Aristotle observed we have three types of friends, be it for utility, pleasure, or good. Just look at us. I did not know you before attending the Belinda School for Curious Ladies because I hadn’t yet met Elsbeth or any of the other ladies who attend. Though I had met Mademoiselle Lissette. She is going to be a new student this term and has attended a few lectures and some teas.” At the raised brows of Lady Sommerset, she had to assume she had wandered off topic again and closed her mouth quickly before commenting about one of the lectures they had attended.

“I am quite sure you will enjoy your time here.” Lord Sommerset took up the conversation. “I have been a friend of Lord Harewood for near on ten years now and have enjoyed his family’s hospitality many times. At the very least, you already know Lady Rose.”

“Yes, of course. I also know Lord Harewood from our brief conversation at the Stocktons’ ball.”

“You conversed with Lord Harewood?” Lady Sommerset seemed hard-pressed to keep herself from smiling.

Not sure why that was, but also having become familiar with the lady looking as if she knew far more than others, Dory answered honestly. “Yes, I did. If I remember correctly, it was about self-reflection and muddles.” She paused, fearing she had it wrong. “Or maybe it was about colors and muddles.” She nodded, more confident that had been it. “Yes, colors and muddles, though I do think, Lady Sommerset, your expertise would have quite kept us from making a muddle of our discussion on colors.”

Grinning happily that she’d tied it all together nicely, she gauged her chaperones’ reactions. Lord Sommerset chuckled. His wife grinned before responding. “I have no doubt I would have been happy to be part of your dialogue.”

The coach came to a halt and with it, the bubbles in her stomach felt as if they popped. Her first house party! She looked forward to it with both excitement and trepidation. Without her classmates in attendance, her old fears came back, but she shook them off. If Lord Harewood could follow her conversation, then surely, others at the party would, and she wouldn’t be left by herself as she had so often in the past.

As Lord Sommerset stepped out before helping his wife to alight, Dory studied the footman standing nearby. His clothing was impeccable and his face didn’t reveal any of his thoughts. If only she could be like that.

Quickly, she brushed out the skirts of her emerald-green traveling dress and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Maybe this week, she would fall in love, or at the very least find a new friend. Trying to keep her mind on the many positive experiences upon which she was about to embark, she moved forward and carefully descended the coach with the footman’s help.

“Lady Dorothea?” Lord Sommerset held out his other arm for her and she blushed. To be escorted by him into his friends’ home was very thoughtful.

She gracefully took his arm, and they strode forward. They were halfway up the many steps when the doors opened and Lord Harewood stepped out. He was dressed in gray pantaloons, a white shirt, and his ever-present black tailcoat. In the sunlight, she noticed his hair appeared a very dark brown with deep-auburn strands that caught the sun and he’d trimmed his sideburns somewhat shorter since last she’d seen him. As the doors behind him closed, he was framed in the tan arch. He cut quite a fine figure standing there. She’d never noticed that about him before. But she had noticed his height, and standing there above them as they drew nearer just made him seem a giant.

“It’s about time you arrived, Sommerset. Do you know how terribly boring it is to be here without you nearby to insult?”

Lord Sommerset, rather than looking offended, laughed. “I came as soon as I was able, always cognizant of how much you depend upon my presence.”

Their host snickered. “And you say I have the large ego?”

They reached the top step and Lord Harewood turned to Lady Sommerset. “It is always a pleasure to see you, my lady.”

“I do doubt that, but I will take your statement as a welcome.”

Not a little surprised by the insults taken in such comradery, Dory wasn’t sure how she should respond.

Lord Harewood finally turned to greet her. His lips lifted in that elusive smile of his. “Lady Dorothea. What a surprise. I did not know you’d be traveling in such sad company.”

It was on her tongue to defend her hosts, but as that seemed far too serious for the levity of their welcome, she refrained. “Oh, dear. And here they had come so highly recommended as chaperones.”

His lips twitched. “I must then doubt the source of their recommendation. But have no fear, you will be well taken care of while at Sunnydale.”

She grinned, happy to have pleased him. “Thank you, Lord Harewood. You are ever gracious.”

That elicited a snort from Lord Sommerset. “We best make our entrance before Lady Dorothea believes anything you say, Harewood. I’m sure Lady Enderly has heard of our arrival and is cooling her heels just inside.”

Lord Harewood opened his arm to them all, and as they approached the doors, they opened once more to the very lady herself.

Lady Enderly held her hands out to Lord Sommerset. “There you are, Andrew. It’s so lovely to have you here again and this time as a married man.” As she smiled happily at the earl, Dory couldn’t help noticing Harewood looking at the ceiling as if he were asking for patience from a divine power. Did he truly find his mother’s statements of little worth, or was he simply pretending this was all a bore when it was obvious he was very pleased to have his friend near? Maybe she could watch his behavior this week, like Sophie said he did others, and then she could understand him better.

When Lady Enderly had finished welcoming Lady Sommerset, she finally turned to her. “Lady Dorothea. I’m very pleased you could join us. Rose is quite excited you are here.”

Despite the kind words and smile, she could tell the marchioness was not as happy to see her as she claimed. Immediately worried that it might have to do with her mother’s reputation, she vowed to be the epitome of a lady while at Sunnydale. “I’m quite honored that Lady Rose wished my company.”

“Did I hear my name?” The lady in question descended the grand staircase in anything but a grand manner.

“Rose, do slow your step. You could fall.” Lady Enderly’s admonishment fell on deaf ears as Lady Rose seemed to practically run down to greet them.

Dory had the feeling if Lady Enderly wasn’t present that Rose would either use the railing to slide down or at the very least jump to the floor from the third-to-last step. As it was, her feet barely touched the final stair.

Lady Rose strode directly to Dory and grasped her hands. “I’m so pleased you accepted my invitation. We have so much to discuss.”

Not quite sure what they had in common beyond coming out in the same season, Dory nodded her acquiescence. At least her greeting by Lady Rose was warm and sincere.

“Rose. Do remember your manners and greet Lord and Lady Sommerset.”

With a quick lift of her brows, Rose let go and did as her mother bid.

It was easy to see that the two families were well acquainted over many years, which was to be expected since Lady Sommerset’s family lived nearby. As the others exchanged news briefly, Dory took the opportunity to view her surroundings. Much like many great country houses, this one boasted a central stair that spilt at the top. The house itself went off in opposite directions from where they stood. To the left was an open archway into what appeared to be a dining room, but to the right were two closed doors, which may signal a parlor, but it could as easily be a room for recitals and such. Her family had such a room, though it had rarely been used. She was acceptable at the pianoforte but not accomplished enough to gather a crowd.

If Rose was well accomplished, she would most likely give a recital during the party. At least, Dory thought so, but having never been to a house party, she wasn’t entirely sure. She’d meant to ask Elsbeth about them but had wandered off track last they had spoken. If only she could keep her thoughts on one subject for more than two minutes.

“I’ll show Lady Dorothea to her room.”

At the mention of her name, she quickly looked to Rose, who grinned at her.

“Truly, Rose. We have servants for that.” Lady Enderly shook her head as if corralling her daughter had long been a battle.

Dory found that odd, since Rose had behaved with the utmost decorum at the few events where she’d seen her. In fact, Rose seemed quite calm and serene. Her fine, straight, chestnut hair, which was never out of place, framed a square-shaped face with round, blue eyes, and a wide forehead. It could be she was different at home with few strangers present.

“Very well. Then I will show her to my room. Send someone to fetch her when it’s time.” Then, without giving Lady Enderly a chance to reply, Rose grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the stairs. By the third step, she had the presence of mind to look back at her chaperones in question. Lady Sommerset caught her gaze and waved her off.

As they reached the split in the stairs, Rose pointed to the right. “The other guests will be in that wing, but the Craufords are such close friends, they will be over here in the family wing and so will you.”

Since Rose had let go of her hand before racing up the left set of stairs, Dory picked up her skirts and followed along quickly.

“This is my room. If you ever need me, I’m the fourth door down on the right. My brother stays in the room on the left, so don’t mix them up.” She shivered, as if that would be the worst event in the history of mankind, then opened her door.

Half-expecting a room covered in rose-colored wallpaper with tiny roses after her hostess, Dory was a bit taken aback by how yellow it was. The room was covered in a yellow wallpaper with tiny, yellow rose vines. The golden upholstery on the two chairs Rose pulled her toward matched the counterpane on the bed.

After taking the seat required by the slight push, she watched as Rose closed the door, locked it, and pocketed the key.

Immediately, the bubbles in her stomach started again. She truly hoped Rose didn’t plan to impart any secrets to her. She wasn’t the best at keeping them, as she sometimes gave them away without meaning to.

Rose returned and pulled the other armchair closer. “I can’t tell you how excited I am that you came.”

Quite flattered, she smiled warmly. “And I’m quite excited to be here. I’ve never been to a house party.”

Rose’s brows, which were truly the most expressive part of her face, rose high. “This is your first? Then we will make it the best. I will explain everything there is to know, but first, I’m hoping you can tell me all about the Belinda School for Curious Ladies.”

The school? “Why do you wish to know about the school?”

Rose leaned in as if anyone could hear them. “My father has promised that if I receive no proposal this fortnight, then I may attend the school.”

Pure pleasure ran through her at the thought of having another classmate. “Oh, Rose, that’s wonderful.”

“Isn’t it? But I must avoid a proposal—not that I expect any. That’s why I must attend the school.”

Not a little confused, she frowned, as most of their mothers had threatened to pull them from the school if one of them didn’t marry by the end of the season. Fortunately, Elsbeth had saved them all. Still, she wasn’t sure attending the school could help Rose. “Why do you think the school will help you find a husband?”

Rose slumped back into her chair, as if all her excitement had drained from her like the juice of an orange for orange biscuits. “This was my second season and no one has had an interest in me beyond dancing. I am quite convinced that I’m boring.”

Her heart immediately sympathized. “I’m sure that can’t be true.”

“No?” Rose pulled her knees up to hug them. “All I know to talk about are tasks of running a household and the weather.” Her lips quirked up a bit. “My first season, the weather did provide quite a bit to discuss, being so cold, but then it stayed cold, so even that became tedious.”

Dory couldn’t imagine staying with only those subjects. She had so many topics swirling around in her own head, she could never seem to choose and so wandered from one to the next without stopping. “What about plays you’ve attended or recitals or museums, or other activities you’ve participated in? You can discuss those.”

Rose seemed to squeeze her legs tighter to her chest. “I do mention them, but I don’t know what to say about them beyond that I saw them or accomplished them.” Rose rested her chin on her knees in defeat.

She stared at her hostess, not a little in shock. Did the woman not cogitate on her own experiences? How did one go through life without, well, thinking? “Let’s try something. What did you do yesterday?”

Rose lifted her head from her knees. “I went into the village with my mother to visit the vicar. She always does so soon after we return to Bedford.”

A visit to the village should yield many topics. This was the perfect place to start. “And what news did the vicar have?” She lowered her voice. “I’m sure he is the keeper of much information about the villagers.”

Rose tilted her head, looking into the past. “He did state that the blacksmith has a new child; the baker has refused to make sugar plums anymore, as the children were stealing them from his shop; and that the inn has been fairly bursting at its seams with visitors. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, precisely. That is so much fodder for conversation that I believe I could talk for at least an hour.”

“You could? I would not want to bring any of that information into a conversation because I wouldn’t know what to say next. What would you say?”

This time, she widened her eyes, unable to hide her surprise. No one had actually invited her to talk about something before beyond her classes at Silver Meadows. That she could actually be of help was quite exciting, but she forced herself to calm, knowing that she could often speak too quickly for others to follow when she was excited.

“Let’s take the blacksmith having a baby. Now if it’s a boy, I’m certain he is quite excited, as he would want to teach his son his trade and have him help. But if it’s a daughter, he would no doubt be very protective of her and stand in the way of all but the bravest suitors. My brother is much older than I, and he has two boys, which he is pleased about, though his wife would like a little girl. I don’t see him that often, as he doesn’t come to Town very much and his estate is closer to Bath, so he prefers to go there. I have visited him there and it is a lovely place, though to be fair, I prefer a calm country lake to the wild deep ocean. I find it a bit intimidating. Yet the great Greek heroes, like Odysseus, Perseus, and Jason, all traversed the oceans. They had so much courage. It does make me wonder how one becomes courageous. Cicero said courage is ‘that virtue which champions the cause of right.’ Which does explain great heroes, but I’m not sure it would explain myself boarding a ship for the Continent. What cause of right would that be?”

Rose stared at her as if hypnotized before blinking. Dropping her feet to the floor, she clapped mightily. “Oh, that was wonderful. How do you do that? You are so intelligent.” She clasped her hands together. “Do you think if I attend the Belinda School for Curious Ladies that I could hold conversations like yours?”

She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She’d never had quite that reaction before. She was truly honored to be so revered but was also loath to lead such a kind lady astray. “We all converse in our own way. But if you do attend the school, I’m sure you will learn to generate plenty of ideas.”

“It sounds perfect.” Rose sighed, relaxing back into the chair. “And you will be there, so I will know someone. I admit to a bit of nerves. What should I expect in my studies? Is it painting, music, or maybe dancing?”

The na?veté of the woman before her immediately had Dory feeling protective. “No. Lady Northwick says we get quite enough of that at home.”

Rose grimaced, making it clear she agreed.

“Instead, you will be taught how to think. Lady Northwick, the duchess, believes that all of life is experienced through thought and wants us to be able to comprehend everything and every experience, even if we haven’t been taught about it, by drawing on our personal knowledge and using our minds. The duchess says understanding comes from that singular ability like the hub of a wheel. So your first year, you will learn how to think by drawing upon your life experience as you engage in a variety of subjects.”

“That sounds exciting. What types of subjects, then?” Rose leaned forward, her eyes dancing with interest.

“Oh, there are so many, like arithmetic, literature, geography, astronomy, biology, animals, nature, and philosophy, which is my personal favorite. We also learn about estate management, the law, medicine, and self—” She stopped, not sure she should mention the self-defense classes.

“Self what?”

Quickly, she tried to think of what would fit. Landing on it, she grinned. “Self-reflection and physical activity.”

Rose sighed. “All of those sound interesting.” She slumped back in her chair. “I do hope no one proposes to me. I know that sounds terrible, but my brother, I know, has studied all that and more. He’s very, very smart. I always feel silly when talking to him.”

At the thought of Lord Harewood looking down his nose at his own sister, Dory bristled. “As your brother, he should not make you feel that way.”

“Oh, no, he doesn’t.” Rose shook her head vigorously, as if the harder she did so, the more punctuated her statement would be. “He’s so kind to me and very protective. He’s a very good sport too.” She grinned, obviously recalling something he’d done with her.

That Lord Harewood was a kind older brother relieved her. “He does seem quite intelligent, though we’ve only conversed a couple of times.”

“You know my brother?”

“I would not say I know him, but I did—”

A knock on the door sounded.

Rose pouted. “I fear they’ve come to take you away from me. She stood and walked to the door, unlocking it with the key she had pocketed earlier. “Yes?”

“I’ve come to show Lady Dorothea to her room.”

“Of course.” Rose turned to her. “You will be nearby, so after you are rested, we can converse further.”

Dory rose from her chair, surprised by the change in Rose’s tone. She’d gone from sounding like an excited child to a refined young lady. It was a bit surprising. Dory walked to the door. “Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m looking forward to the coming days.”

Rose smiled kindly but didn’t say anything further.

Dory followed the maid down the hall closer to the stairs. As the woman opened the door, Dory peeked down the hall toward Rose, but she had disappeared back into her room.

“Here you go, my lady. Lady Sommerset is resting in the room next to this one. Is there anything you need?”

She stepped into the calm room and swallowed a sigh. The beige wallpaper was sprinkled with bluebells and the armchair by the fireplace was a deep blue. The quilt on the bed matched the walls, complete with blue flowers. “Just my trunk.”

“Lady Sommerset requested that I hang your dresses in the armoire. Your trunk is next to it over there. I will return to help your dress for tea.”

She looked to where the maid pointed and did indeed see a beige painted armoire. “Then that is all I’ll need. Thank you and Lady Sommerset.”

The maid bowed and slipped out.

She wandered over to the window to enjoy the view, only to discover that it was two doors. Pressing down on the latch, she stepped out onto a small balcony barely wide enough to set two settees side by side. The warm, late summer air enveloped her, and she quickly closed the doors behind her to keep her room cool. Taking the four steps to the stone railing, she surveyed the back of Sunnydale Manor.

Rolling fields disappeared into dark forests in the distance. Directly behind the house was a soft-green lawn. It appeared a pall-mall course was already set up, just past a towering hedge. Closer still was a narrow terrace that ran at least half the length of the house before becoming twice as wide. There were far fewer steps to the lawn at the back.

Looking to her right and left, she could see that each bedroom had its own small balcony to itself. No one else was about to enjoy such a pretty view. To the far right were extensive gardens as far as she could see. Her own family home boasted no such balconies, but her room did have a very large window with a window seat.

Leaning over the balcony a bit, she could see that the terrace had stone benches and planters as if it were a garden of its own. Did Rose enjoy the terrace? Had she used it to hide from her brother when she’d been younger? She could almost imagine a young Lord Harewood searching for his little sister.

She shook her head. Where had that thought come from? The earl was hardly the type to play games. He seemed a very serious sort, except when he smiled. Could he be like Rose, only relaxing when in the company of family and close friends? It did beg the question of what was real and what was not. Plato’s allegory of the cave might apply—

The doors beneath her opened and footfalls followed.